La Casa de Esperanza seeking Hispanic artists for mural project

Just as the Waukesha GuitarTown Steering Committee was recently seeking artists to be part of its communityproject, La Casa de Esperanza, Inc., through the Latinos in Waukesha Mural and Canvas Project, is doing the same.

La Casa de Esperanza is looking for 15 artists to be involved in the production of 15, 3-foot by 4-foot canvases that will be part of a large scale outdoor mural on La Casa de Esperanza's Community Center.

The artists, who will work under the direction of renowned muralist Reynaldo Hernandez, must be of Hispanic descent and between the ages of 15 and 22.

Artists must complete a written application on La Casa's website at www.lacasadeesperanza.org by April 15. Artists must also submit a portfolio to La Casa de Esperanza's Employment Specialist Ben Stark. Art can be submitted via e-mail to Stark at ben@lacasadeeaperanza.org or it can be dropped off at La Casa de Esperanza, 410 Arcadian Ave.

A panel of judges will then select the 15 artists.

The project consists of three stages: research, community involvement and the production phase that culminates with a project recognition during the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in the fall.

The research part includes learning about the Latino migration to Waukesha, the community involvement includes working with various agencies and organizations in Waukesha and the production part includes planning the mural, preparing sketches, painting canvases and the mural.

After using the book, "Latinos in Waukesha" and learning from its author Dr. Walter Sava, the artists' canvas paintings will be on display during Fiesta Waukesha, La Casa's three-day event in June at Frame Park.

The paintings will also be on display at various art galleries in the next two years.

The students will then incorporate the individual paintings into a 15-foot by 80-foot mural that they will work on during the summer for the community center.

Students will receive a $500 stipend upon the successful program completion of the canvas and program and students involved in the installation of the mural will receive an additional stipend.